1. Freeze the vehicle specification
Write one brief covering application, route, drive layout, engine and gearbox identifiers, body or trailer, steering side, emissions target, model year range and destination. Ask every factory to quote against that brief and identify deviations. Compare documents and dated photos tied to the offered truck; a model-family brochure does not prove the actual unit's configuration.
2. Separate refurbishment and inspection scope
Request an itemized list of work included, parts replaced, repairs, exclusions and items not tested. Record who performs the inspection, what evidence is delivered, how defects are handled and what the warranty covers. Keep optional work separate from the base quote so that a premium package is not compared with a minimal repair scope.
3. Compare the named delivery point and risk
List vehicle price, inspection, inland transport, export documents, ocean freight, insurance and destination charges separately. State the named place and Incoterms rule with its version in the contract, then check who arranges carriage, insurance and export or import formalities. Incoterms allocate delivery responsibilities, costs and risks; they do not replace the sale contract.
Use a landed-cost comparison sheet
Put each offer into the same currency and state the exchange-rate date. Separate truck price, inspection, repairs, inland movement, export handling, freight, insurance and destination costs; mark taxes or charges that are not included. Keep the named delivery place and Incoterms edition visible, and do not compare totals that end at different locations.
Sources and further reading
This practical guide is an original summary based on the references below. Rules and technical requirements vary by market; verify current local requirements before purchase or export.